Phoenix Suns' Michael Beasley working on consistency, defense

Michael Beasley has been known by a lot of names in his four-year NBA career but "steady performer" and "defender" have not been among them.

Beasley began his Suns career this week at training camp with quiet expectations from among the Suns ranks, who hope he can fulfill his immense potential as a former No. 2 draft pick but will guard against hyperbole and pressure.

For all the concern, Beasley's first week of a three-year, $18 million Suns contract has been bliss. He is cognizant of the unique attention and support he is getting from the organization.

"It makes me feel good, not just as a player but as a person," Beasley said. "It makes me feel like somebody believes in me. I feel like us as players, from one to 432 (in the NBA), that's all we need."

It is out with the old (Grant Hill turned 40 on Friday) and in with the new (Beasley is 23) for the Suns at small forward, where Beasley is expected to take the starting role Hill held for the past five seasons. Beasley is learning two positions because of his size (6 feet 10, 235 pounds) and athleticism at power forward.

That transition has been smooth on offense, but his attention and focus, two areas he has lacked as a pro, have been on defense.

"This is the first year I really applied 100 percent to the defensive side," Beasley said. "I'm not really worried about the offense. Offense, I'm just trying to learn the plays. Defense, I'm just trying to be aggressive, trying to kind of guard two people at one time, trying to learn both positions and trying to stay on the glass as much as I can."

In between two-a-day sessions during training camp at the University of California-San Diego, Beasley said he has been watching video of his defense.

"He's long and he can move when he wants to," said Suns lead assistant coach Elston Turner, who coordinates the defense. "He's a competitor when you bring it out of him.

"With the focus part, just stay locked in and know that everybody is responsible for everything. He may drift a little bit. It's my job to keep him locked in and focused. He has crazy potential. I just have to get it out of him."

In a season of unknowns with five returning players, Beasley might prove to be the greatest X-factor. He has the potential to be the Suns' leading scorer and go-to player with an offensive repertoire of ball-handling in transition and pick-and-rolls -- and scoring in the paint and on the perimeter.

Beasley acknowledged that he needs to become a better passer.

"I definitely see myself being that guy, the last two minutes of the game, finding everybody and running everything smoothly and also being a key defender on the other side," Beasley said. "I just want to win. Whatever I can do to help the team. Whatever my coaches and the team ask from me, that's what I'm going to do."

Suns coach Alvin Gentry said Beasley has shown a consistent effort in training camp with focus on fitting in with his new teammates. The staff is putting in the base of the system but will explore more of what Beasley can do throughout the preseason.

The reception has made the Suns feel like "family" to Beasley, who gets fatherly guidance from Gentry and General Manager Lance Blanks.

"I love this place," Beasley said. "I love the state of mind I'm in. I love that I can ask everybody, not just one person or two people, for help."